Mike Castellana using the latest Reher-Morrison engine combination won the season-opening NHRA event in Gainesville and raced to a second round appearance at Atlanta.  (Michael Fischbeck photo) 

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues May 29-June 1 with the Toyota NHRA SummerNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ.


Eric Latino is a regular on the PMRA circuit, but missed their season opener at Grand Bend, Ontario, to compete with the NHRA Pro Mods at Atlanta.

ROUND ONE -- Troy Coughlin, Chevy Corvette, 5.886, 241.63 def. Mike Knowles, Chevy Camaro, 5.918, 244.52; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.108, 208.84 def. Don Walsh, Camaro, 12.169, 57.46; Steve Matusek, Camaro, 5.896, 246.39 def. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.061, 229.82; Dan Stevenson, Camaro, DQ def. Steven Whiteley, Camaro, no time; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.832, 249.12 def. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.875, 248.11; Kevin Fiscus, Ford Mustang, 5.903, 248.98 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 5.949, 244.03; Von Smith, Camaro, 5.942, 240.94 def. Jim Laurita, Camaro, 9.812, 89.65; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.778, 250.04 def. Chip King, Daytona, 8.677, 91.46;

QUARTERFINALS: Fiscus, 5.984, 239.95 def. Matusek, 9.051, 99.00; V. Smith, 5.929, 242.02 def. Castellana, 5.954, 238.76; Rowe, 5.871, 247.88 def. Whiteley, 10.988, 78.13; R. Smith, 5.814, 249.26 def. Coughlin, 10.990, 83.67;

SEMIFINALS: V. Smith, 5.910, 242.45 def. Fiscus, 5.914, 248.48; R. Smith, 5.838, 248.39 def. Rowe, 5.941, 244.03;

FINAL: R. Smith, 5.828, 249.21 def. V. Smith, 15.228, 54.74.

Point standings:

1. Rickie Smith, 269; 2. Mike Castellana, 261; 3. Danny Rowe, 225; 4. Mike Janis, 202; 5. Steve Matusek, 178; 6. Kevin Fiscus, 164; 7. Troy Coughlin, 135; 8. Von Smith, 124; 9. Steven Whiteley, 119; 10. Dan Stevenson, 115.